Looking for answers to life's questions

My trip to Phoenix brought many wonderful experiences wrapped up in 5 days. I had mentioned we visited 3 different quilt shops during the week and they were not created equally.

A normal quilt store

Our first venture out

The very last shop was visited on my last day. My friend couldn’t understand why they would put this quilt shop in such a hard to find place, an isolated shop in the back of a mega business park. As we walked in, I saw there was very little fabric in the store. It was small by most standards with a few beautiful things on display at the doorway. That’s as far as I got. For 10 minutes or more I circled the large baker’s rack that held the most beautiful quilt I’ve ever seen. That’s saying a lot.

CC Best Quilt EVER

C. C. handkerchief quilt

CC Fiber Art in shadowbox

First view coming inside the door

I wanted it! I knew if it were for sale it would cost thousands of dollars. I tried to photograph it but my phone could only capture so much. My friend saw another acquaintance and they began a conversation about this work of art. My body then began to follow my eyes. There was one item after another that just left my mouth hanging open. Enough time and many questions later reveled the quilt was there for a class. There would be a class! And I couldn’t attend. The class would be held after I left, last several hours then a few months later another class for several more hours. Insert sad face here.

CC child’s patchwork quilt

CC jacket with everything fun.

CC ephemera mini

CC Crazy quilt mini

We gawked and chatted a bit more and another familiar figure popped out for my friend. It was her instructor of the pattern paper bird class. And the quilt, jackets and several other things were hers!!!

CC Original. My friend made one at this class

She would be teaching the classes on the quilts and my friend knew her. When she saw my lust for her works of art she showed me more. It just kept coming out of boxes and bags. Not all were my taste but all were unique and stunning in their own way. I thought my phone camera would overheat from use. Carol was delighted that I liked her work. I asked if she had it on Etsy or anywhere. No, but it might be necessary because there was so much of it and no more room at home. Hmmm.

Carol Collette published in Quilt magazine.

Would we call this woman a hoarder? Not me. I’d call her a very talented fiber artist. And she was willing to share her skill with anyone that wanted to learn. Unfortunately, there are some things you can’t teach.

CC Fabric book

CC One of many fabric pages

A website needs to be set up for her so she can showcase her Art and sell it directly from there. She had thought about a website but didn’t know how to go about it or if she could afford it. You shouldn’t hid this kind of talent. So I’m showing off for her and seeing what can be done to get her up and running.

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My friend had signed up for the class on the quilt and is hoping to have her knee healed enough from her fall to participate but they will not let her drive for 3 months after the seizure so it’s unlikely. Maybe the next time it’s offered. I would like to see classes like this offered here and she will travel if we can get a group and a sponsor. See me smiling?

Where do you find new and unique modes of Art? Have you seen any lately?

There are lots of free website builders out there, you just have to google for them. Also, if she can afford it she might consider hiring someone to set up a store front for her. One can also sell on Ebay. I’m sure if you looked up stuff you could find lots of places. Just depends on how much work she wants to do.
She does beautiful work thats for sure and I love, love, love that quilt! 🙂

Thanks, Jackie. My son is going to try and set up a simple website. Selling on Ebay isn’t all that easy. People can send stuff back and complain at any time. My son sold a phone, new, and the guy wanted to send it back 4 months later! Probably dumped a coke on it. But he has to take it back. He’s setting up his own sites for that now. I’m hoping for a way to get her sponsored out here so she can do a class. I’ve never seen anything like it. Hope you are doing well. Summer is here. Next Thurs, 85 degrees!

Hi Marlene, beautiful post and quilts! I am glad you got to see all these amazing works of art on your trip! I’ve been to some fabric/quilting stores and often found them hidden away. I wonder why!
Also, the reader on my iPad doesn’t display your photos properly. Some were cut in half. But everything looks good on the blog itself.
Have a wonderful weekend! 😊

Thanks Sabine. Sorry you couldn’t see them well. I only posted part of her work. It’s only taken me 3 weeks or more to get this done. 😦 I think they are in out of the way places because the lease may be cheaper. The overhead on fabric is high. Not a great profit margin, just like book stores. Have a lovely weekend too.

Thank you Jill. I had a good time and the best part is always seeing and learning something new. This trip gave me both on top of seeing a good friend. She’s very talented with anything related to fiber, etc. I’m deeply envious, can you tell? 😉

I would have been with Marlene, on my knees worshipping at the foot of beauty and texture! What a wonderful talent! Your new friend is obviously an Artist [with a capital ‘A’] shape, form, colour and ability all very obvious in the few pieces you have shown here. I am glad to hear your son will lend his expertise to help her.

Marlene I don’t recommend joining established selling platforms at all – the cost can become ridiculous and the public are not always honourable. Some of my experience was that items get copied [stolen].

If your friend does what I am doing her sales may be less, but her supporters are people she already has, or can build a relationship with. The other way is to attend craft fairs, which can be hard on time and pocket but does build a community of people who have seen the work up close and personal – with our handmade items this is so important as photographs just don’t really show the full story.

It takes time and, unless you are really fortunate, you won’t get rich – but you will have the opportunity to cover costs and be able to invest in more fabrics and textiles and etc to keep creating. And for artists that is what is important 🙂

I’m with you all the way. I could never, ever, in any lifetime duplicate what you make or other artists make. But there are many that will steal ideas. Sad. I’m all for doing business anyway the artist can keep most of their hard earned money. T.S. is working on her basic website so she can sell what she wants. She doesn’t blog so that’s not an option. Those of you who are extremely creative, are not necessarily techy. My son wants the practice doing websites. He is working on his own too to sell his work etc. I didn’t want these photos to be too explicit as way of protecting her work in a way. I asked for permission to photograph and blog about them first.

The other thing I have [reluctantly] learned to do is to write on all photos of my work – though I sometimes still forget. It doesn’t stop the thieves. but it helps. Good on TS for getting out there and helping and learning!

If nothing else, he has a huge heart. And he is always studying!!! Photography, code for programming, drawing, you name it, he studies it. He had the Photoshop program set up to put my name in the photos but I can’t see the toggles so I use something else with bigger print to work on my photos. I hate asking him to help.

Thanks for stopping by Danellajoy. It was inspiring and I do hope to connect with her again but if not, it was worth it to just see her wonderful creations. It’s what happens when we let go and have fun with things. I have much to learn about that. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by Kerry. It is quite interesting to discover the thing that moves us for some unusual reason and in such an unexpected place. As women, we all need to support other women and help them succeed. Since I’m not an artist myself, but the appreciator of art, I always try to find ways to support artists. We need more of you in the world. And more to be successful at it.

Marlene, I loved reading your words! While I don’t know much about the craft, I can surely recognize your joy. I was able to “see” you circling and oohing and ahhing over the beautiful things you were seeing.
Thanks for sharing her work and your happiness

Thanks for stopping by. I love to see others art and then share it. Its’ like sharing a good book or a great recipe or meal. I could never replicate, even badly, what this woman has created, but I can so appreciate it. Have a wonderfilled Sunday.

So, so beautiful, Marlene!! Wow…you are correct…that kind of beauty needs to be seen! An e-commerce website can be a chunk of change. Godaddy would be a good place for her to start inverstigating. But for now, how lovely you gave her space on your site. Much love to you…hope all is well ♡♡

Her creative artwork is so fantastic! I truly love the handkerchief quilt. So unique, pretty, and just downright beautiful. What a treat to have been able to see her work in person and up close. You must have been on sensory overload being in the shop. I went to a quilt show at the convention center nearby a few years ago and I was absolutely blown away at the techniques and uniqueness of so many of the quilts. Not being a quilter I had no idea that things had advanced so much beyond my memories the crazy quilts of my youth. My other experiences of quilts were of visiting my husband’s home town in Missouri where all of the quilting is done by hand! You are correct, this is truly art. It is very kind of you and your son to help her to try to get a business going. But then somehow this does not surprise me as you always portray a kind and thoughtful nature.

You are correct, Jan. I was on sensory overload there. She could have named her price on that quilt but I doubt the amount of work in it could have carried a dollar value. I saw my first quilt in Branson, Missouri. I have a lot of family in the area. I wanted to buy one, the husband insisted the $400 was too much to pay. When I started making them, I realized they were giving it away at that price. Lesson learned. I am a very lucky woman indeed. I have two children with huge kind hearts. I thank God everyday that I got so lucky and I got to be their mother. I can’t think of a better gift. 😉 Think of you often and hope all is well. Hugs.

Oh Marlene.. what a dream for you to have found this amazing lady and such talented works of art she has created so giftedly with her fine needlework and eye for co-ordination.. Such a magnificent Quilt..

I loved your discovery and so enjoyed all of your photo’s.. That Quilt was so special..
I hope you can get to go to one of her classes.. And even better if you can get her to do one local to yourself. 🙂 xx

Thank you, Sue. She was wonderful in all her creative endeavors and didn’t seem to know how wonderful they were. I’m sure people tell you all the time how good your work is. Do you believe them? Probably not as deeply as you should. Most artists are so critical of their own work they don’t see what a profound effect it has on others. Your art is astounding as is your poetry. Most of us can only hope to hold a piece of someones inspiration in our hands since we can’t create it ourselves. Glad you enjoyed seeing her wonderful art.

I think people have covered the shop options, but she could also teach a course online about quilting. There are various sites that allow you to create the course and then set a fee for taking it. It seems like she has a lot of knowledge to share.

You know, you have a very good idea. She was saying that she doesn’t want to waste time teaching as she’d rather be creating. Her classes are 6-8 at a time because of limited space. Your idea sounds valid other than the hands on help one gets in her class. I’m going to put that idea out to her. Thank you for stopping by and the great idea. 🙂

oooooh, aaaahhhh….Jello !! Missing you and stealing time this AM to see what you’re up to. This is the kind of shop I actually prefer. Not over stacked with tons of icky fabrics and stuff. A selective collection and inspiring projects I much prefer.

Good gosh, CC does have many talents. My personal favourite was the spring time quilt. Gah, the colours are so…so….yah, springy. HA!

So you have set out to collect some students and a sponsor in your area, how grand. Good for you Marlene-a-go-go. I hope it works out. It’s nice for CC to expand he customer base whilst all of you enjoying new techniques. Win/win/win-a-roonie!

Yours truly is actually going to be hosting a class at Le Urban Scrapbook next month too 😀 I’m designing a two page scrapbook layout, one done, one to go. It’ll only be 12 gals…maybe 3 hours. Very exciting, a little nervous that it’ll be something everyone will enjoy. Just must get one under my belt to get some confidence I think.

I actually have just bought some awesome fabric for a wee project….will hopefully
get-er-done and posted. You’re rubbing of on me my dear……to the machines!!!! Go-go-go! xoxo K

Thanks for the visit, sweet lady. I’m sure you will entertain and delight all your students along with teaching them something new. I see in fabric what you see in paper but paper takes less room. Anxious to hear how the class goes. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs.M

I agree the quilt at the top is the best quilt ever (barring, of course, the ones with personal messages embroidered into them by my mother). Seeing the exquisite creations is only bested by meeting the artist and having her personally show you more! What a treat! I love the expression “fiber artist,” which I imagine your friend is too, with the cloth bowls. Do you think of yourself as a fiber artist because you are a quilter?

And yes, indeed, I can see your delighted smiles. It is an experience you will treasure for some time, of course. Your trip to Arizona was such a good one.

Things quilted for you with love are always the best quilt0 going. I don’t consider myself or my friend a fiber artist because we don’t do original work. We kind of borrow what others are doing and try to copy the idea. This lady came up with all these wonderful ideas of her own. I’m a pretend crafter. 😦 I’d rather buy from this fiber artist but since I don’t have the bucks, I pretend I can make it myself. 🙂 My timing to visit with this friend was divine. She has still not been able to go back to her own home, she was so badly injured by her fall. She was the reason I even tried to quilt.